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  • Dancing On Ice introduces a gay couple for 2020

    Dancing On Ice introduces a gay couple for 2020

    Dancing On Ice has beaten BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing to introduce a same-sex couple in its show, in a landmark move for ITV.

    The show’s same-sex pairing will be Steps’ Ian “H” Watkins and he will skate and dance with Matt Evers, who came out as gay in 2016.

    A source told Digital Spy: “After conversations with the Dancing on Ice production team, H enquired as to the possibility of being paired with a male professional skater.

    “Dancing on Ice were fully supportive of a same-sex partnership and as such this year H will be paired with Matt Evers.”

    Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

    Same-sex couples have proved a controversial subject in previous years for TV shows which usually have opposite-sex couples dancing. Strictly Come Dancing has repeatedly faced calls for gay couples to take part, but producers have always stayed clear from allowing gay contestants to dances with same-sex professionals.

    Dancing On Ice returns to ITV in January 2020.

  • FILM REVIEW | Judy

    FILM REVIEW | Judy

    ★★★★ | Judy

    Renee Zelwegger is electric as the late, great Judy Garland in the new film Judy.

    Judy is a semi-biographical account of her time in London in winter 1968 where she performed a five-week sold-out show at the venue that was called ‘Talk of the Town.’ The film also traces her life when she became very famous for the film Wizard of Oz, and how it affected not only her career, but also her well-being, her relationships with men, and her overall sanity.

    It’s 1968, and it appears Garland doesn’t have two pennies to rub together (hard to believe a woman of her calibre and celebrity would be in such a position), with two children in tow (the father of the children is Sydney Luft, while Liza Minnelli was a bit older and already on her own), and not a place to call home.

    So Garland is asked to go to London to perform, and it’s an opportunity to make some real money so she can get a home for her and her children, which would put some stability in theirs, and her, lives. But Judy is, to put it mildly, a mess.

    She’s drinks a lot, take pills a lot, and is practically frightened to get on that stage. But when she puts her mind to it, and leaves all the demons behind, she is a tour de force. But she is not consistent and it’s a mystery as to which Judy will appear each day.

    Judy shows us a Judy who was struggling and still looking for a little bit of hope, love and sanity in her final year of life (she died in 1969 of an accidental drug overdose in London).

    Zelwegger perfectly captures Garland’s look, body and voice (yes, it’s actually Zelwegger singing). Zelwegger lost weight for the role, and it’s her best performance to date which could net her an Oscar. The rest of the cast don’t fare as well. While Finn Wittrock is good as her 5th (and last) husband Mickey Deans, Rufus Sewell is a bit dry and boring as Sydney Luft, while Jessie Buckley has a thankless role, and task, as her London minder.

    And while the performances of Zellweger singing are captivating, the scenes of her as a young girl on film sets just don’t seem to ring true (bullying by the studio head – Louis B. Mayer and her minders – are a bit exaggerated). Director Rupert Goold doesn’t quite capture the entire essence of Judy’s life, and time, in London and in her younger years. With this being his second directorial effort, I feel that he just wasn’t quite qualified to take on a film of a woman with so much stardom, of such legendary status, and unfortunately heartbreak.

  • Gus Kenworthy licks wood, but fans fear he just gave away a massive AMS spoiler

    Gus Kenworthy licks wood, but fans fear he just gave away a massive AMS spoiler

    It’s not everyday you see a massive star lick his own wood…

    In a candid Instagram post, Gus Kenworthy filmed himself joking around, in between takes, on the set of Ryan Murphy’s latest American Horror Story, 1984.

    In the clip, filmed on the Fox Studio Lot in Hollywood, the star licks the end of a wooden stake protruding from his chest, with the caption, “wood you”.

    View this post on Instagram

    Wood you?

    A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on

    However, fans feared that Gus had given away too much of the storyline with numerous commenters asking him not to reveal too much about the show and the fate of his character.

    One fan wrote, “Damn. Was hoping you would’ve lasted longer. Haven’t watched any of it yet. Glad you were at least in it”

    Another added, “I think this might be a spoiler”

    Hilariously, and as a costume and makeup artist fiddles with his clothes, Gus pulls a face after touching his tongue to the stake, indicating that the stake didn’t taste as he might have expected it to be.

    The prop, which was covered in fake blood, didn’t taste good! After licking the prop Gus pulls a disgusted look.

  • Where can I buy poppers in Nottingham?

    Where can I buy poppers in Nottingham?

    If you’re out and about and looking to buy poppers in Nottingham, you can buy from a number of outlets, here’s where.

    There are a number of places in Nottingham where you can purchase poppers.

    Firstly, you can buy poppers from Nottingham’s own Sauna, Wolf Spa. It sells a limited range of poppers for its clientele. You can find Wolf Spa at 1 Kilbourn Road, NG3 1BQ (this venue has now closed down)

    Secondly, Nottingham has its very own sex shop, called Private Shop (81-85 Upper Parliament St, Nottingham NG1 6LD) They have a range of seven different types of room odourisers and have multi-pack deals, which you can mix and match. They also sell on bulk – 20 Bottles for £60 which also can be milk and match.

    Thirdly you can always buy poppers online, THEGAYSHOP sells a huge range of room aromas to choose from.

    Are poppers legal in the UK?

    Which shops sell poppers in Nottingham
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    It is completely legal to consume and sell poppers in the UK. In 2017 there were fears that the Conservative government would outlaw their sale and usage, however, poppers were proven to not be a psychoactive substance and so the government made a U-turn and decided against making the liquid illegal.

    If you’re wondering whether poppers are safe to use, then read our advice on them here.

  • Here’s where you can watch Drag Race UK, if you live outside the UK

    Here’s where you can watch Drag Race UK, if you live outside the UK

    Where can I watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK?
    (C) BBC – Photographer: Leigh Keily

    The new series is upon us and here’s where you can watch Drag Race UK, if you live outside the UK or don’t have access to BBC’s iPlayer.

    In the UK, viewers are pretty much limited to watching the first-ever UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, on BBC 3, meaning that you must have a TV license to view the series, however, if you live outside the UK, there are a few options so you can keep up-to-date with the latest happenings.

    If you live in the US, the only place you can watch Drag Race UK is on WOW Presents Plus – the WOW Network’s very own streaming platform. Once a member you’ll be able to watch all of their programming on your iPhone, Apple TV, Android, Fire and Roku devices.

    It costs just $3.99 a month, after a 30 day free trial.

    In Canada, you can catch up with the British queens on Crave and OUTtv. Crave costs $9.99 a month, while a subscription to OUTtv costs just $3.99 a month.

    In Australia, WOW’s programming is available on Stan and again via WOW Presents Plus. Stan offers a 30 day free trial and then costs $10 (AUS) a month.

    For the rest of the world the brand new series is available to stream on the WOW Presents Plus.

  • Apprentice star Ryan-Mark jokes about being a Queen

    Apprentice star Ryan-Mark jokes about being a Queen

    Is Ryan from The Apprentice Gay?

    One of this year’s Apprentice stars, Ryan-Mark Parsons, has been getting a lot of attention on social media, not least because he’s the youngest ever contestants to take part in the BBC show.

    Ryan-Mark is making waves and has proved himself to be a real go-getter, not least because at the age of 19, he’s already worked for the likes of Gucci, The House Of Commons and the NHS – on top of that he’s the youngest ever contestant to take part in the Lord Sugar show.

    However it was one picture on his Instagram account that caught our attention. The women’s fashion expert has met Prince William and it almost looks as though the Prince was bowing to Ryan-Mark!

    In the post, Ryan-Mark quips, “The Prince meets The Queen” and shows the Prince holding out his hand to shake Ryan’s.

    View this post on Instagram

    The Prince meets The Queen.

    A post shared by RYAN-MARK (@ryanmarkparsons) on

    Ryan-Mark joins 15 other hopefuls to become Lord Sugar’s next business partner and win £250,000 to plow into their business venture.

    Speaking about his involvement in the show, Ryan-Mark wrote, “The secret is out. The Pig of Business is on The Apprentice fighting for Lord Sugar’s investment… Prepare for clashes, acrimony and tribulations”.

    The Apprentice continues on BBC 1 on Wednesday night at 9 PM.

  • TFL would have allowed Vinegar Strokes’ iconic Victoria Line costume

    TFL would have allowed Vinegar Strokes’ iconic Victoria Line costume

    In a twist worthy of Drag Race UK, Transport For London has confirmed to THEGAYUK that it was never approached about Vinegar Strokes’ costume.

    Yesterday we revealed that Drag Race UK‘s Vinegar Strokes said that she wasn’t permitted to use her planned costume – an EPIC dress which featured the entire Victoria Line, for the runway section, due to licensing, but TFL has confirmed to THEGAYUK that they were never approached for licensing and would have been ” more than happy to help make it happen”.

    In an Instagram post, the North London drag Queen uploaded a picture of the look she actually had wanted to wear saying, “THIS WAS WHAT I WAS PLANNING ON WEARING FOR MY HOMETOWN QUEEN RUNWAY!!!!! What’s more London then our glorious TFL Underground line. But due to licensing I wasn’t allowed to wear it”

    Unfortunately, due to whatever the reasons between Ms Strokes being unable to wear her planned costume, her last-minute compromise her runway look failed to excite the judges, leaving Michelle Visage, in particular, disappointed.

    She was placed in the bottom two and was forced to lip sync – in which she was victorious.

  • Drag Race UK’s Vinegar Strokes reveals why her real catwalk look for episode 1 was banned

    Drag Race UK’s Vinegar Strokes reveals why her real catwalk look for episode 1 was banned

    Drag Race UK‘s Vinegar Strokes, who has become one of the competition’s “one to watch” has revealed that her Thames-inspired catwalk costume in the first episode wasn’t what she actually wanted to to wear.

    During the first-ever catwalk for this year’s queens, Vinegar Stroke’s runway look failed to excite the judges, leaving Michelle Visage, in particular, disappointed, but apparently, according to Ms Stokes, it wasn’t what she was actually planning to wear.

    In fact, Vinegar Strokes had been planning to wear a stunning, outsized costume which featured an entire map of London underground’s Victoria line.

    The North-London drag queen said that due to licensing, she was unable to wear the dress that she had actually planned to wear, and what she walked down the catwalk in was a quick, last-minute compromise.

    She wrote, “Funny story! THIS WAS WHAT I WAS PLANNING ON WEARING FOR MY HOMETOWN QUEEN RUNWAY!!!!! What’s more London then our glorious TFL Underground line. But due to licensing I wasn’t allowed to wear it, hence the creation of THAMES, THAMES CROSS THE BOARD!! The Victoria line is my line! I jump on at Seven Sisters and I get off for work at Oxford Circus. But when I really wanna GET OFF I’ll pop down to Brixton for some Chicken Wings, Jamaican Patties and some real BBC

    View this post on Instagram

    Funny story! THIS WAS WHAT I WAS PLANNING ON WEARING FOR MY HOMETOWN QUEEN RUNWAY!!!!! What’s more London then our glorious TFL Underground line. But due to licensing I wasn’t allowed to wear it, hence the creation of THAMES, THAMES CROSS THE BOARD!! The Victoria line is my line! I jump on at Seven Sisters and I get off for work at Oxford Circus. But when I really wanna GET OFF I’ll pop down to Brixton for some Chicken Wings, Jamaican Patties and some real BBC ? • • • • • #couldntwearit #camp #TFL #victorialine #londonqueen #london #londoner #instaqueen? #dragraceuk #rupaulsdragraceuk #rpdr #tubes #swag #comedyqueen #lookqueen #mua #hairqueen #lgbt Outfit by @kraken.countercouture Hair by @the_wig_room_training_academy Pic by @elliot_moody

    A post shared by VINEGAR STROKES (@theonlyvinegarstrokes) on

    Can we just say that look is EPIC! and should have won! However it did give us an opportunity to see Ms Strokes lip sync for her life – which she did.

  • CAR REVIEW | Fiat Doblo Maxi Cargo Sportivo

    CAR REVIEW | Fiat Doblo Maxi Cargo Sportivo

    ★★★★ | Fiat Doblo Maxi Cargo Sportivo, Sports Delivery

    What Do We Have

    Here we have Fiat’s Doblo Maxi Cargo Sportivo van. Maxi Cargo because it has been built on a lengthened chassis and Sportivo because it has some fancy go faster stripes along the side. 

    To me, it’s a sort of throwback to the ’70s when people made their vans look a little more sporty and less utilitarian.

    But does that ageing 70’s vibe resonate into today’s Doblo van?  A van, in its current form, that has been with us for the past 9 years. THEGAYUK took one out for a spin at a recent Fiat range review.

    Driving

    Some time ago, I wrote a Good, Bad and Ugly on the 2005 – 2009 Fiat Doblo. I said the Doblo was a good van and some 10 years after that one ended production, the current one available is as good with just about the same amount of Fiat style as the last.

    As an unloaded van, you would be right to imagine that the handling was on the light side. That said, there was no excessive bouncing coming from over your shoulders.

    The engine, 120hp turbo diesel unit pumps out all its power around a useful 3750rpm. Max torque of 320nm is at a relatively high 1750rpm. In practice, this means that you have to keep the engine slightly in the noisy area to get the most from the performance. And you’ll want to do this because as vans go, the Doblo can be rather engaging to hustle around.

    Inside

    The cabin is the usual mix of cubby hole and storage bins all set into sturdy wipe-clean plastic. It seats 2 on what are rather comfortable seats offering good support. The passenger seat comes with a storage bin underneath.

    The driving position is still the same as the old model with ankle position not being the most comfortable. Thankfully, all minor and major controls are readily to hand and easy to use.

    Living with it

    Twin side sliding doors give access to the rear area and an added bonus is the fully wooden-clad cargo area which keeps it clean. Access through the rear of the van is the usually twin rear doors with a 40/60 split that open at both 90 degrees or 180 degrees. Convenience is also aided with remote central locking on all doors.

    The payload is on par with this size of van at just over the 1-ton mark.

    Verdict

    As small vans go, the Doblo Sportivo offering from Fiat could be purchased as your one and only car if, like me, you like vans.

    Equipment levels are generous and Fiat fit a host of safety and convenience features as standard. Colour coded bumpers might be stylish on your car, but can become somewhat of an eye-sore with a hard used commercial vehicle prone to being knocked around. Thankfully there are reverse sensors that can offer some protection for the rear bumper.

    What is nice to see is standard cruise control fitted though it doesn’t have adaptive cruise.  Along with electric front windows, it also comes with heated and folding door mirrors.

    Love

    Sporty looks

    Standard specification

    Driving engagement

    Loath

    Clutch pedal position

    Economy not as good as the competition

    Dull interior

    The Lowdown

    Car – Fiat Doblo Maxi Cargo Sportivo 1.6 Multijet-2

    Price – £20,640 (as tested)

    MPG – 54.3

    Power – 120hp

    0-60 – UA

    Top speed – 105mph

    Co2 – 135g/km

  • THEATRE REVIEW | We Will Rock You, National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | We Will Rock You, National Tour

    ★★★ |We Will Rock You, National Tour

    WE WILL ROCK YOU by Elton, , Writer and Director – Ben Elton, Set Designer – Mark Fisher, Costume Designer – Tim Goodchild, Lighting designer – Willie Williams, Churchill Theatre, Bromley, UK, 2019, Credit: Johan Persson

    Set in a distant, dystopian future where musical instruments and composers are banned, where generic pop music is imposed on the public and rock music is all but unknown, a small group of “Bohemians” struggle to restore the idea of thought, fashion and, most importantly, rock music as they break free of the grip of the Killer Queen.

    Seventeen years after it opened, this theatrical juggernaut heads out on a theatre tour bringing with it some of Queen’s most iconic songs. The show is a full-on assault to the senses, with a set made up of giant screens displaying animated, projected backdrops, a colourful array of costumes and music and vocals so loud that the bass reverberates in your chest.

    During the first act, the songs come thick and fast, with the wafer-thin plot serving little more purpose other than linking one song to the next, but the second act yields a little more to the rather silly narrative whilst still packing in enough hits to keep you entertained.

    Such big songs require big voices and the two leads, Ian McIntosh and Elena Skye can certainly belt out the tunes, giving solid vocal performances; whilst audience favourite Michael McKell provided some excellent comic relief throughout.

    But the real stars here are the songs, and the show packs in all the Queen hits you are expecting. Despite a plot which is utter nonsense, We Will Rock You will have you rocking your way out of the theatre.

    We Will Rock You is currently at Sheffield Theatres before continuing on its national tour.

  • Olly Alexander to lead the cast of Russell T Davies’ next TV drama

    Olly Alexander to lead the cast of Russell T Davies’ next TV drama

    The Years and Years singer is set to join a host of other stars for Russell T. Davies’ next TV drama.

    Olly will be joining Keeley Hawes, Stephen Fry, Neil Patrick Harris, Tracy Ann Oberman, Shaun Dooley, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Lydia West for a 5-part series charting the joy and heartbreak of four friends during a decade in which everything changed

    Casting has been announced on multi-BAFTA Award-winning writer Russell T Davies’ (Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal, Years and Years, Doctor Who) brand new 5-part drama for Channel 4, Boys (working title) which will be produced by RED Production Company (a STUDIOCANAL company).

    It’s 1981, the start of a new decade and Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin begin a new life in London. Strangers at first, these young gay lads, and their best friend Jill, find themselves thrown together, and soon share each other’s adventures. But a new virus is on the rise, and soon their lives will be tested in ways they never imagined. As the decade passes, and they grow up in the shadow of AIDS, they’re determined to live and love more fiercely than ever.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Olly Alexander, from the band Years & Years, plays 18-year-old Ritchie Tozer, the family’s golden boy, though he’s determined to keep his secrets from them.

    Newcomer Omari Douglas plays London-born 17-year-old Roscoe Babatunde, a wild, brittle party boy, always on the run.

    Newcomer Callum Scott Howells plays Colin Morris-Jones, a quiet, unassuming, boy from Wales, about to become an apprentice on Savile Row.

    Lydia West (Years and Years) plays Jill Baxter, Ritchie’s friend from college, straight-talking, funny, and the rock on which they rely.

    Nathaniel Curtis plays Ash, a faithful friend through thick and thin.

    The cast also includes Keeley Hawes (Honour, Bodyguard, The Durrells, Line of Duty), who plays Valerie, Ritchie’s mum, Shaun Dooley (Gentleman Jack, Broadchurch, Woman in Black) who plays Clive, his dad, Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Gone Girl, A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Henry Coltrane, Stephen Fry (Wilde, Gosford Park, Bones) as MP Arthur Garrison, and Tracy Ann Oberman (Friday Night Dinner, Toast of London, After Life) as Carol Carter.

    Olly Alexander says, “I feel like the luckiest boy in the world to be a part of this project, I’ve been a fan of Russell T Davies ever since I watched Queer As Folk in secret at 14 years old. His work helped shape my identity as a gay person so I’m absolutely over the moon we’ll be working together. The script was amazing to read, I laughed and I cried a lot, it’s a privilege to be helping to tell this story and I’m so excited.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Neil Patrick Harris says: “I’m so pleased, and incredibly proud, to be a part of Russell T Davies’ new series. This drama, Boys, is two things: it is an irresistible, funny, jubilant story of young people discovering their true identities and the unalloyed joy of living life to the fullest, it is also a deeply resonant exploration of a decade when so many of these lives were cut short by the devastating effects of the nascent AIDS pandemic. Russell’s scripts chart the highs and lows of this time so beautifully and deftly, it’s an honour to help tell this story.”

    Filming begins next week and the series will air on Channel 4 in 2020. The series is overseen at Channel 4 by Lee Mason, Commissioning Editor and Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama. The series will be produced by RED Production Company (a STUDIOCANAL company) and executive produced by Nicola Shindler (Years and Years, Safe, Happy Valley, Queer As Folk, Cucumber) and Russell T Davies (Years and Years, Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal, Doctor Who, Cucumber). Phil Collinson (Gentleman Jack, Good Omens, Doctor Who) is the producer. The series is directed by Peter Hoar (Umbrella Academy, The Last Kingdom, Da Vinci’s Demons).

    Boys is the 10th collaboration between Russell T Davies and RED Production Company. The partnership is known for producing relevant, timely and emotionally charged dramas having previously created hit series including Queer As Folk, Casanova, Cucumber, Banana, Bob & Rose and The Second Coming.

    All3media International are global partner.

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